GALVESTON, Texas (November 13, 2014) –Those looking to get into the holiday spirit will have their chance this weekend in Galveston as Moody Gardens opens “Ice Land” – a frosty new ice sculpture exhibit featuring 2 million pounds of ice.

“Ice Land” will open at 12 p.m. Saturday and will remain open daily through Jan. 4. In this new 28,000-square-foot attraction, visitors can explore a chilling maze of 20 majestic holiday-themed ice sculptures, decorated in elaborate colors and shapes with some standing 30 feet tall! Kids’ eyes will light up when they see these intricately carved sculptures, featuring traditional holiday figures and characters from SpongeBob SquarePants.

Also opening Saturday is the 13th annual Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens,where visitors can enjoy the largest holiday lighting event on the Gulf Coast. At 5 p.m. Santa will parachute in and at 6 p.m. he will flip the switch that turns on the mile-long Festival of Lights trail, showcasing more than 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays. Visitors can also go snow tubing, ice-skating, visit with Santa, grab hot cocoa and more.

About Galveston IslandGalveston Island is the “Winter Wonder Island” of Texas, featuring 50 days of holiday festivities and more than 1,000 holiday events during the winter season. The island is home to the largest holiday lighting event on the Gulf Coast, Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens, as well as the nationally known Victorian Christmas festival Dickens on The Strand among many other attractions. For more information on holiday activities in Galveston, visit www.galveston.com/holidaymagic.

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To download b-roll footage for Ice Land and Festival of Lights, click here.